482

A Union Surgeon.-The only addition which we would recommend to thecommon sulphur ointment is some essential oil like that of lavender-e. g., the oil of turpentine mixed with the " essence of lemon" is the basisof the treatment recommended by M. Aube. Physicians have long knownthe insecticide power of the essential oils, and Dr. Maufre, a well-knownpractitioner of Naples, has recently published several articles in which theapplication of the oil of bergamot is urged as an almost " instantaneous"cure for scabies. According to this pathologist, the friction with the agentin question is more prompt in its insecticide effects than is Helmerich’sointment; but, supposing this to be the case, the expense of the newmethod must always limit its use in general scabies to a few cases.

LICENTIATES IN MIDWIFERY.WE are requested to state, in reference to the letter of " T. K." in our journal

of last week, that the Royal College of Surgeons of England do not grant, Iand have never granted, their Midwifery licences to unqualified practi-tioners, as stated by the writer.

P. G.—He can style himself " Doctor" by courtesy.

IS IT INCUMBENT ON A PHYSICIAN OR SURGEON TO ASK FOR HISFEE WHEN CALLED IN CONSULTATION? ?

To the Editor of THE LA.NCET.SIR,—Perhaps some of your readers will be able to answer the above ques-

tion ; but if no rule has been laid down by those who hold the reins of theprofession, it is requisite that there should be rules for professional guidance.

I am of opinion that no medical man should leave the house, when calledin consultation, without receiving his fee. I well recollect the time when noindividual would dream of sending for a physician without being prepared togive the fee at the time of consultation; but a system has recently crept in ofsending for another medical man to watch, as it were, over another, andwithout the intention of paying the fee until it suits the convenience of thepatient or his or her friends. If the fee is not received at the time, it may beinferred that preference is given to the gentleman who has been called inconsultation, and that he will be expected to attend the patient for thefuture. It is therefore requisite that the fee should be solicited during thetime of consultation, in order to prevent one member of the profession dis-placing another.In the present day a family physician or surgeon has often to meet a family

physician or surgeon, and not the pure consulting physician or surgeon, asformerly. Hence it should be a golden rule in the profession not to attendthe family, if requested to do so, after being in consultation; and should anypractitioner attend a patient after the family attendant has been rejected,the latter should not meet the former again in consultation, unless, however,he has on any former occasion attended the family. If a patient or hisfriends wish to dismiss a medical attendant, through caprice or otherwise,they should do so; but not under the plea of consultation, as I have knownto have occurred again and again. The rule, then, to receive the consultationfee daily, or at every other visit, according to the means of the patient, wouldprevent disagreeable as well as dishonourable treatment.

I recollect meeting a gentleman some years since in consultation, and thefather of the patient said, "What is Dr. - waiting for ?" When the nursereplied, "For his fee, to be sure; he was not paid the last time." The nursewas one of the old school.

I trust, Sir, that you will take this important subject into your considera-tion, and suggest such rules as should be observed by the public as well as bythe profession.

Lastly, I would add that consultation fees should not be recoverable atlaw. I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

October, 1864. A PHYS.

A Medical Witness is not compelled to attend the Coroner’s Court unlesssummoned in the recognised form. It has been held that a witness attend-ing without the proper subpcena cannot enforce the payment of his fee byan appeal to the law. In the case of a second medical witness being re-quired during the course of the inquiry, it rests with the jury to determinethe point. If the majority are of opinion that further medical evidence isnecessary, the Coroner then has the power, and is bound, to pay the secondfee.

THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS.THE following suggestive letter appeared in The Times of Wednesday last :-

" To the Editor of The Times."SIR,—The ex-King of Oude (now on the Continent) told a friend of mine

that the rope-trick used to be performed in this fashion. The performer wastied neck and feet, and put into a sack, the mouth of which was carefullysecured. He was then thrown into deep water, from which he emergedswimming, free from both ropes and sack."Now, let this experiment be tried publicly in the Serpentine with the

Brothers Davenport, and let Lord Bury, Captain Inglefield, or any other en-lightened amateur be tied up along with them to see fair play. If they suc-ceed, they will add greatly to the number cf their converts. Of course theHumane Society can be at hand to give them a fair chance of resuscitation ifthey fail."A similar ordeal was once applied to witches. Why not to conjurors ? I

propose it the more readily because I can subscribe myself,-,’October 18th." "No CONJUROR, No. 2.

Doubtful.—1. The preliminary examination will be accepted by the RoyalCollege of Surgeons of England and by the Society of Apothecaries; con-sequently he can register. - 2. Yes, he can enter hospital practice in thesummer.-3. A person so qualified will be entitled to enter.

A HINT.

To the Editor of THE LANCET.SIR,—Liverpool, the largest town, excepting London, has no efficient sur-

gical instrument-maker, it being notorious that the best work has to be sentto London to be made. It is quite time that a branch of some of the Londonhouses was opened here, as a corrective to enormous charges. This, in theinterest of suffering humanity, is my excuse for troubling you.

I remain, Sir, yours, &c.,Liverpool, October, 1864. A CRIPPLE.

A Collector.-The portrait of John Hunter painted by Sir Joshua Reynoldswas engraved by Sharpe. The print, which is of rare excellence, is nowexceedingly scarce, and fetches a high price. There are, however, manyimitations of the original engraving, which may be obtained for a fewshillings. The only portrait of Liston which conveys a correct impressionof the features of that eminent surgeon is a half-length portrait publishedby Thos. M’Lean, Haymarket.

St. John’s-wood.—Unless there was a specific agreement for a month’s notice,the contract was for the year, and we believe that payment could be reco-vered at law.

Preston.-A curious anomaly exists in the qualifications entitling a bene-factor to become a governor in the Preston Infirmary. A subscriber oftwenty guineas is constituted, by the rules, a governor for life; but if hewere to give £500 in land he would not be so entitled. Dr. Stocks is not a

governor, though he has given books to the value of jB200 to the infirmary.

TREATMENT OF SCARLET FEVER.To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,—In your impression of September 24th " Union Surgeon" asks for asimple way of giving the children of the poor a hot-air bath. The followingis effectual, and simple enough :-

Place the patient on a cane-seated chair, and then envelope him and it in ablanket or two. Beneath the chair should be placed a lighted spirit-lamp;and if the legs of the chair are too short, so that the flame approaches toonear to the seat, a brick may be placed under each leg. This in a short timewill produce profuse perspiration. Of course the patient’s head and facemust be free from the blanket, which should be secured round the neck.

I am, Sir, yours truly,Woodstock, October, 1864. HENRY B. SPENCER, M.D.

COMMUNICATIONS, LETTERS, &c., have been received from-Dr. Tyler Smith;Dr. Hughes Bennett, Edinburgh; Dr. J. Russell Reynolds ; Dr. Marion Sims;Dr. Fowler; Mr. Wilson; Mr. Powell ; Dr. Henry Bennet; Dr. Duncombe,Nassau; Mr. Bridson (with enclosure); Dr. J. Harley; Dr. Hulme, Wigston ;Mr. Clarke, Wantage (with enclosure); Rev. W. Stevenson, Dublin; Mr. R.Ellis; Mr. Perry; Mr. Weston, Wellington; Mr. Latham, Sandbach; Mr.Stewart (with enclosure) ; Mr. 0. Forster; Dr. Dobie, Chester; Mr. Tanner ;Dr. Maugham, Wragby; Dr. Vinen; Mr. Prosser, Bromsgrove; Dr. Bennett,Liverpool; Mr. Palk, Southampton; Mr. J. Jones, Harlech; Mr. Debenham(with enclosure); Dr. Bower, Stafford ; Mr. Browne ; Mr. Hosking, Stam-ford ; Mr. Goyder, Bradford; Mr. Whalley; Mr. Gill; Mr. T. 0. Walker,Blakesley; Dr. Jones, Brynffynon (with enclosure) ; Mr. Cooper (with en-closure) ; Mr. Savill, Beeford (with enclosure) ; Mr. Binns; Dr. Whitaker(with enclosure) ; Dr. Roberts, Castell; Mr. Clark, Twickenham ; Mr. Bell;Mr. Bromley, Stourbridge; Mr. Thomas (with enclosure) ; Mr. Fletcher ;Dr. Nuttall, San Francisco; Dr. Beckett, Hull; Mr. Collyer; Mr. J. Mac-donald (with enclosure); Mr. Wheatcroft, Fenton; Mr. Lomas; Mr. Day;Dr. Milnthorpe; Dr. Mason, Barrowden; Mr. Crofts, Robs (with enclosure);Mr. Graves, Stonehouse (with enclosure); Mr. R. Jones (with enclosure);Mr. Skipper; Mr. Lyon (with enclosure); Mr. Humpage, Brecon; Mr. N.Hichford; Dr. Bolton, Leicester; Mr. Temple, Kington (with enclosure);Mr.Parker,Bath; Dr. Spencer, Woodstock; Mr. Culverhouse; Mr. Powdrell;Dr. B. Howard, United States Army; Mr. G. Prynne; Mr. Rolf (with enclo-sure) ; A Bengal Surgeon; A Constant Reader; Moderation, India; R. H.;An Old Subscriber; Medicus (with enclosure); Nemo; P. G.; Doubtful;Seeker; A Cripple; A Phys.; A. H. B.; Juvenis; K. K. Q., India; &e. &c.

THE Norwich Mercury, the Suffolk Free Press, the Sunderland Herald,the Bucks Advertiser, the Delhi Gazette, and the Times oflndia have beenreceived.

Medical Diary of the Week.I

MONDAY, OCT. 24 .....

TUESDAY, OCT. 25 ......

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 26 -

THURSDAY. OCT. 27 ...-

FRIDAY, OCT. 28 .........

SATURDAY, Ocr. 29 ....

{ST. MARK’S HOSPITAL fOR FiBTULA AND OTHERDISEASES OF THE RECTUM.—Operations, 1½ P.M.METROPOLITAN Fasa HOSPITAL.— Operations,2 P.M.Guy’s HOSPITAL.—Operations, 1½ P.M.WESTMINSTER HOSPITAL.—Operations, 2 P.M.(MIDDLESEX HOSPITAL.—Operations, 1 P.M.ST. MARY’S HOSPITAL.—Operations, I.P.M.ST. BA.RTHOLOMEW’S HOSPITAL.—Operations, 1½) P.M. HosP:TAL.-Operations, 1½

{ GREAT NORTHEM HOSPITAL, CALEDONIAjr-BOAD.- Operations, 2 P.M.UNIVERSITY COLLEGE HOSPITAL.— Operationf,2 P.M.

LONDON HOSPITAL.—Operations, 2 P.M.(ST. GEORGE’S HOSPITAL.—Operations, 1 P.M.CENTRAL LONDON OPnTEALMIO HOSPITAL.—{ Operations, 1 P.M.LONDON SURGICAL HOME.—Operations, 2 P.M.WEST LONDON HOSPITAL.—Operations, 2 P.M.ROYAL ORTHOPÆDIC HOSPITAL. - UperattOIlB, 2L P.M.

f WESTMINSTER OPHTHALMIC HOSPITAL.—Opera-tions, 1½ P.M.

ST. THOMAS’S HOSPITAL.—Operations, 1 P.M.ST. B.A.RTROLOMJIW’S HOSPITAL.—Operations. 1½{ P.M.KING’S COLLEGB HOSPITAL.—Operations, 1½ P.M.ROYAL Fass HOSPITAL.—Operations, 1 P.M.LCBARiNG-ORosa HOSPITAL.—Operations, 2 P.M.